Within the contemporary global landscape marked by significant challenges to the liberal international order, characterized by the rise of populism, authoritarianism, the increasing influence of illiberal states, narratives of global multipolarity, Anthropocene, technological disruption, climate change —collectively referred to as ‘the poly-crisis'—the imperative for clarity that speaks to all perspectives cannot be overstated.
This shift necessitates a reevaluation of existing political theories that have traditionally assumed a stable liberal framework. As democracy appears to decline globally, the emergence of BRICS countries has introduced alternative paradigms of governance that prioritize national sovereignty over cosmopolitan ideals, thereby complicating the normative foundations of global political theory. The emerging metamodern perspective aims to answer this heterogenous global predicament by framing it as a metacrisis and proposing a way to solve it by moving beyond and above the modern (and postmodern) perspective. It tries to achieve this by reconstructing the political and geo-political narrative after the (technologically unconscious) destructions of modernity and the (historically unconscious) deconstructions of postmodernity by first integrating perspectives in space (e.g., Eastern and Western) and time (e.g., Indigenous, pre-modern, modern, postmodern) and secondly, by taking seriously the politically nonneutral perspective on technological development.
In this context, the concept of "planetary governance" emerges as a promising framework for understanding the complexities of the new global order. One of the key characteristics of planetary governance inherited from its metamodern metatheoretical substrate is "fractality." It posits that governance structures can exhibit self-similarity across different scales, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of political authority that transcends traditional state-centric models. This approach aligns with the metamodern perspective, which seeks to integrate the fragmented realities of global politics into a cohesive theoretical framework that acknowledges the interplay between local and global as well as economic and political governance. The metamodern theory of planetary governance emphasizes the importance of relationality and interdependence in addressing global challenges, advocating for a shift from rigid hierarchical structures to more adaptive, ’holarchical‘ forms of governance. This transition is crucial in a world where the boundaries between domestic and international politics are increasingly blurred due to globalization. The fractal governance model can facilitate this transition by promoting decentralized decision-making processes that empower local communities while maintaining coherence with broader governance frameworks.
Furthermore, the metamodern approach recognizes the moral and political dilemmas posed by the changing global order, particularly in terms of legitimacy and accountability in governance. As states navigate the complexities of global interdependence, the need for legitimate global institutions becomes paramount. This requires rethinking the principles upon which these institutions are founded, moving beyond traditional liberal values to embrace a more pluralistic and inclusive framework that reflects the diverse realities of global governance. In conclusion, the metamodern theory of fractal governance offers a compelling lens through which to analyze and respond to the challenges facing the liberal international order. By embracing the complexities of the contemporary global landscape, this approach provides a pathway toward more resilient and responsive governance structures that can effectively address the pressing issues of our time.